Scale of flat construction

Abstract

The scale is of limited height and utilizes Z-shaped flexures between the load frame and support frame. The scale can be placed in a hospital bed for weighing bed-ridden patients or for monitoring weight variations in bed-ridden patients. Each flexure has a Z-shaped cross section with flanges extending to opposite ends of the element for securement to the load frame and the support frame, respectively, of the scale. The web of the flexure is connected to a torsion bar which turns with the flexures in order to produce a read-out signal via an LVDT.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A flexure for securing one element to a second element in relatively movable relations, said flexure having an elongated body of Z-shaped cross-section, a first flange extending from one end of said body for securement to one element and a second flange extending from an opposite end of said body in an opposite direction from said first flange for securement to the second element. 
     
     
       2. A flexure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said body has a pair of parallel legs, one of said legs being of greater cross-sectional length than the other of said legs. 
     
     
       3. A flexure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said flanges are parallel to each other. 
     
     
       4. A flexure as set forth in claim 1 which is made of spring steel. 
     
     
       5. A flexure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said body has a pair of parallel legs and a web connecting said legs. 
     
     
       6. A flexure as set forth in claim 5 wherein said web is able to distort to maintain said flanges in parallel during a relative movement of the one element to the second element.